Patriotic Sunrise, A Mother's Love And A Ride In The Sky: IL In Photos

ILLINOIS — Take a look through this set of images from across Illinois. We're seeing many great opportunities for readers to get some memorable photographs throughout the state this summer.

To have your photo potentially featured on Patch, send it to Eric DeGrechie at eric.degrechie@patch.com. We just ask that you make sure the photo you send is one you have taken personally, and allow Patch to use on all platforms. Include your name for credit and a brief description of the photo, including where it was taken. Also, please remove any watermarks. Thank you!

Jenn Petersohn, of Orland Park, took this photograph during the early morning hours of the 4th of July as the sun was rising her front yard.

Jami F., of Burr Ridge, tells us regarding this photo of peonies in her garden, "Each bloom has its own individual stem and each flower has its own individual color as it matures."

Deb Garcia made this collage of photos she took of a Great Horned Owl Mother snuggling and cleaning her baby

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Sue Leston said she saw this hot air balloon yesterday while out for a morning run. "It was over the corn fields and then traveled over the Kings Bridge subdivision (Plainfield)," Leston added. "It was a perfect morning for a ride in the sky."

Al Benson sent in this photo he took of a colorful day lily blooms on the lawn at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora.

Debbie Keating submitted this photo she took at the Chicago Botanic Garden's Butterflies & Blooms exhibit. "Other than pretty, I don’t know what species of butterfly this is," she tells us.

Ann-Marie Aiello, of Wilmington, sent in this photograph she took of some baby ducklings. "The babies are so beautiful," Aiello said. "Reminding us how it's the little things that matter."